Duloxetine

[yorkshirelad1]

My consultant has mentioned this SNRI to me as a possibility to help with chronic pain from neck bone spurs. Has anyone taken this long term and found it to be beneficial?

Thanks

[LesE62]

Hi, I have taken duloxetine since 2017. I suffer from chronic pain/sciatica following L4/L5 spinal fusion.I've found it helps me greatly. I still do suffer painwise but did try to stop it some time ago but pain increased massively. Consultant strongly advised I start it again and noticed the difference when I did.

Others may reply who didn't get benefit but fit me it does.

Cheers

[yorkshirelad1 in reply to LesE62]

Thank you Les, it’s good to hear replies from real people. I had some concerns it might wear off but you’ve been on it 6 years so that is good to know should I opt for it as a help. Thanks

[Bevvy]

Yes I take duloxetine. It was prescribed to help nerve pain following Cauda Equina Syndrome surgery. I noticed it helped my pain straightaway even when on lowest dose. I now take highest dose and have been on it for about 8 months. It doesn’t take away all the pain but makes it more manageable. I also use Tramadol for breakthrough pain but don’t take that every day.

[yorkshirelad1 in reply to Bevvy]

Thanks Bevvy

[Hidenseek]

I have just started this medication to help with neuropathic pain so I’ve only been on it a couple of weeks but will let you know I was previously on mirtazipine

[yorkshirelad1 in reply to Hidenseek]

Did you have to come completely off mirtazapine to start duloxetine? How was that withdrawal? Thanks

[Hidenseek]

I was on Max dose of mirtazipine doing withdrawal in five stages week one 30mg mirtazipine 30 mg duloxotine week 2 same as week 1 week three which I start tomorrow 15mg mirtazipine 60 mg duloxetine week 4 same as week 3 then week 5 60 mg duloxetine no mirtazipine. So far side effects minimal however I’m told to expect some next week when I cut down to 15mg of mirtazipine but so far I’ve been ok. Can’t say whether it works for neuropathic pain yet as far too early. Hope this helps

[yorkshirelad1 in reply to Hidenseek]

Thanks for replying. It’s interesting that you can kind of phase 1 out and 1 in like that. Sounds good rather than totally stopping one. If you don’t mind I’d be interested to know how it goes for you as I may need something similar, cheers and best of luck

[Hidenseek in reply to yorkshirelad1]

Well I’m off the mirtazipine now and on duloxetine 2x30mg the only side effect was nausea for two days but now completely fine . The duloxetine seems to really have helped my arthritis in knees and my general aches and pains seem to disappear. As to lower back pain my every day pain has gone I just have to wait and see when I do a long walk say 20 mins and see how it goes

[yorkshirelad1 in reply to Hidenseek]

that’s great to hear. I’m really pleased for you. It’s great you’ve been able to switch relatively easily. I’m on 12mg mirt but the liquid and even a small decrease throws me off for weeks. Still thinking about amytriptyline or duloxetine as that’s all they say they can do for me as surgery is not an option because my pain level is not enough in my arm and hand?! Thanks for getting back to me and wish you continued less and less pain

[Hidenseek in reply to yorkshirelad1]

I would try duloxetine I’ve tried amyltrptaline and all it did was make me sleep. Duloxetine doesn’t make me sleepy and doubles as an anti depressant and neuropathic pain reliever too. Hope you get on ok x

[Hidenseek]

thanks very much yes il keep you posted. I’ve been on mirtazipine for about four years so totally stopping is a no no. I’m going onto duloxetine to help neuropathic pain and it’s a bonus it’s an antidepressant aswell. Will let you know how it goes

[Batty1]

If you have thyroid issues this drug can cause issues.

[Mitch48]

Hi there,

Additional to my previous replies to you, I’d been on Duloxetine 60 mgs for over 10 years to help with clinical depression & complex PTSD but when it became licensed for chronic pain a few years ago, my GP increased the dose to the max 120 mgs & it helps. I do take a large dose of Gabapentin, Baclofen. Naproxen, Fentanyl patch 75 mcgs & Oramorph 39 mls per dose.

Anything that helps nerve pain which is the bane of my life, is a good thing.

Hope it works for you.

Kind Regards,

Mitch

[Hidenseek in reply to Mitch48]

Thanks Mitch so far things seem to be going well I too are on naproxen 500mg twice daily and zoromorph 10mg x daily too. Thanks for replying

[Anacho]

Hi, I was on 70mg amitriptyline which helped my mid-back nerve pain. However it became less effective, so I was phased out of it and onto duloxetine, but only managed 4 /5 ]weeks as the side-effects were terrible for me: disturbed sleep, anxiety, weird jaw clenching and others. I took myself off and resumed good old amitriptyline, looking for another option now. Just watch out for those side-effects - but I was probably just unlucky on this occasion!

[Hidenseek in reply to Anacho]

Thanks anacho I will watch out for side effects so far I’ve only had nausea for two days but now fine. I sleep well and so far all good thanks for the heads up though. I hope you find something that works for you

[PainConcernHelpline Moderator Community Champion Pain Concern]

Dear yorkshirelad1

I am a forum moderator at Pain Concern and have just been reading through your post.

I have put together some resources that I think may be of help to you.

painconcern.org.uk/neuropat...

painconcern.org.uk/mindfuln...

painconcern.org.uk/pain-mat...

I hope you find this information helpful

Best wishes

Pain Concern

[Mags6]

I have fibromyalgia and neck and back pain. It has helped this pain but I'm struggling with side effects 3weeks in. I'll give it a bit longer